Seven Seminarians Ordained to Diaconate

Seven seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Detroit were ordained as deacons on April 13, 2013. All of the men are entering their fourth year of graduate theology in September. After a final year of study, formation and discernment, and with God’s graciousness, they will be ordained to the presbyterate next year, on June 7, 2014.

At the ceremony held in Sacred Heart’s main chapel, Bishop Michael Byrnes, auxiliary bishop of Detroit and former seminary vice rector, laid hands on these men, ordaining them as “transitional” deacons. They have the same charism as a permanent deacon—to preach, teach, baptize, minister to the sick and dying, conduct funeral services and perform charitable works in the name of the Church. But they differ in that it is a temporary state; they intend to “ascend” to priestly ordination in the near future.

All of the newly ordained deacons are permitted to use the title, “Rev. Mr.” All are pledged to lifelong celibacy, whether or not they move on to priestly ordination.

The men are, from left, Deacons Joseph Kirkconnell, Louis Lapeyre, John Kopson, (Bishop Byrnes), Gregory Piatt, Ryan Adams, Joseph Tuskiewicz and Jeffrey Allan. (Deacons Piatt and Tuskiewicz are studying at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts, which was established to form men who are "late" or "second-career" vocations.)